Captain Gregory D. Kindle, commanding officer of Troop F, Jefferson City, announces a boating safety certification course will be offered to the public. The course will be held at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F Headquarters, 2920 N. Shamrock Road, in Jefferson City, on June 3 and June 4. The class will begin at 5:30 p.m. and conclude at approximately 9:00 p.m. This is one course divided over two evenings. There is a maximum class size of 30.

There is no fee for this course; however, students are required to pre-register online, as seating will be limited and notification may be sent in the event the course is canceled. For more information, to register for the course, or to obtain a complete listing of where other courses are being offered, select the “Boater Safety Education & Certification” link under “Training” on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s home page -- www.mshp.dps.mo.gov.

Missouri law requires any person born after January 1, 1984, to carry a boating safety certification card along with a picture ID anytime they operate a vessel, which includes personal watercraft, on Missouri lakes.

Any student who successfully passes the course will be eligible to order the boating safety certification card for $15.

The Patrol encourages motorists and watercraft operators to protect themselves by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint and everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket.